The coating was developed to keep underwater hulls clean from discoloration and/or fouling pick-ups while stationary in seawater, and to minimize environmental impact without compromising operational efficiency, according to PPG.

PPG

After a seven-month outfitting period, a drill ship coated with Sigma Nexeon 750 shows a clean waterline, according to PPG.

With prolonged outfitting periods for new-build LNGCs, FPSOs, drill ships, offshore structures and general commercial ships, demand is increasing for vessels to look clean with good aesthetics, according to PPG.

Features and Performance

Sigma Nexeon 750 is designed to address this demand, as a copper-free, high-activity antifouling based on self-polishing binder technology, PPG says. The company says the coating delivers:

• Protection of the underwater hull from fouling and discoloration;

• High antifouling performance for static and low-activity vessels for newbuild;

• Consistent polishing at stationary service conditions; and

• Clean hulls through long outfitting periods in the newbuilding stage.

Nexeon 750 is recommended as a final antifouling coat, in combination with other coatings in the Sigma product range, for FPSOs, drill ships, offshore support ships and virtually all ship types. The product has already been extensively tested by Korean shipbuilder DSME, PPG says.